May 16,2012 Rebecca Smith

Dear Trustees of the Coeur d' Alene School District: I am writing to be considered for the open position representing zone 4 on the Coeur d' Alene School District Board of Trustees. As a newcomer to the area (my family moved to North Idaho in June of20 11; my husband and I are originally from Wyoming and are happy to be back West after living in Rhode Island, Texas, Michigan, and Maryland), I would not normally seek such a position. However, my understanding, based on comments made during the most recent appointment of a new trustee, is that the Board is currently in search of fresh perspectives and new ideas from those who are not entrenched in the ways the system has been operating in the past. As someone new to the community who has recent experience with the pros and cons of public education in another state and district, I can offer fresh eyes with which to evaluate the current practices and policies ofthe school district. 1 believe that it is healthy for all programs and procedures to be regularly evaluated for educational effectiveness, cost effectiveness, and alignment with the desires of the community. I have experience as the co-founder and board member ofa K-8 charter school in Maryland, as well as the founder and board member of a nonprofit focused on attracting middle-class families to urban neighborhoods and schools for the purpose of community development. In these capacities, 1 have developed skills that I believe would allow me to be of service to the Board of Trustees. These include skills in budgeting; fundraising; strategic planning; curriculum development; and managing a chief executive. The following would be my top three objectives if appointed to join the Board of Trustees: 1) Help the school district to create a clear, realistic, and detailed strategic plan. The Coeur d' Alene School District appears to be facing a period of change, precipitated in part by a flagging economy, changes in the local political culture, and Idaho's recent adoption ofthe national core curriculum. Periods of change can bring uncertainty and instability, which are not good for the local economy or the morale of the community. A carefully drafted strategic plan could help to provide a rudder in guiding the district through this period;just as importantly, the process of creating a strategic plan could be one that would allow the community to come together and find common ground. So many school districts, businesses, and nonprofits spend unreasonable amounts of money on hiring expensive consultants to develop strategic plans that simply collect dust on a shelf. As well, too many strategic plans layout lofty goals without getting specific on how these goals will be met and who will be responsible for meeting them. Because of my experience in strategic planning, I believe 1 could be of en0l1110US help to the school board in setting up a strategic planning process that would be both cost-effective and would result in a simple yet detailed, practical plan that could actually achieve the goals it identifies. 2) Help the school district to explore and maximize alternative sources offunding and revenue.

I realize that fundraising is not the responsibility ofa school board trustee. However, trustees are faced with the unpleasant task in a difficult economy of approving a budget that may exclude items that schools and parents would like to fund. Some of these may even be considered essential items, or items that are very difficult to let go. In my short time in the Coeur d' Alene area, I have been extremely impressed with the ways in which local parents support area schools with their time and energy. As you know, there are many parents in this district who spend hours and hours each year volunteering in their child's school. There are also parents and businesses who support schools with generous donations of various kinds. However, I believe there are resources that are available that may be under-utilized. Partnerships between schools with facility needs and developers, for example, can be a win-win proposition that provides schools with needed resources free of charge and developers with positive publicity and tax benefits. I have seen this work in practice and believe it is something to explore in Coeur d' Alene. On a smaller scale, I believe there are a lot of unexplored opportunities for school funding through relationships with both businesses and individuals that would be of mutual benefit. As a school board trustee, I would be well-poised to help the district to develop and carry out alternative fundraising strategies. As the Founder of the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, lIed fundraising efforts through grant writing and relationship development with individuals, businesses, and foundations. Though I started the organization during an economic downturn, I was able to create an organization that is secure and stable, with donations of over $160,000 in 2008-2009. 3) Usher the district through the challenges of adopting the national Common Core Standards. Idaho's recent adoption ofthe national Common Core Standards will create challenges for the Coeur d'Alene School District. The district will face new standards in what material needs to be taught and how students will be evaluated on this material. The changes have the potential to create great unease among teachers, principals, parents, and students. Test scores may initially decline sharply, a challenge that the Board and the district must be prepared to face. A great deal of planning and foresight will be required to ease this transition. Because I have a strong background in planning, some experience with curriculum development, and am very detail-oriented, I could assist the district in laying out a step-by-step plan for implementation of the new standards and in holding administrators accountable. Beyond any specific objectives, 1 can pledge to you the following if you were to select me as a colleague on the school board: To follow the letter of the law as well as the spirit of the law in practices, policies, and procedures. Ifbest interests are not served by doing so, I believe proper channels should be used to change the policies and procedures rather than thwarting them. To be reliable, organized, and trustworthy. To offer thoughtful consideration of all points of view and to treat all parties-fellow board members, staff, parents, and the community-with respect. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with any or all of you to further discuss my candidacy. Thank you for your time and consideration.

BI/ViS

'

______

g~ecca Smith

Rebecca Smith

Education
University of Michigan Ph.D. in English Language and Literature M.A. in English Language and Literature Brown University B.A. in English and American Literature graduated magna cum laude and with departmental honors
2009 2002

1998

Community Service
Raffle Committee Chair - Family Fun Night, Hayden Meadows, Hayden, Idaho

2011-2012

Founder and Board Member - Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, 2007-2011 Baltimore, Maryland Conceived and created this community development nonprofit focused on attracting middle class families with children to downtown Baltimore. Key roles included developing mission, vision, and core values; fundraising to support programming needs; garnering local support and developing board of directors; developing marketing strategy and content for website and print materials; writing strategic plan; event planning and outreach; development of partnerships with government, business, and related nonprofits. DBFA now has an annual budget exceeding $100,00, over 400 dues-paying members, and several paid staff members, including an executive director, event planner, e-marketing manager, editor, and bookkeeper. Community Council Member - Wolfe Street Academy, Baltimore, Maryland Advised the school on its relationships with tile community and participated in several activities, such as facilitation of an Adopt-a-Family program and organization of a mock presidential election for students

2008-2009

Co-Founder and Board Development Chair - Patterson Park Charter School, 2004-2007 Baltimore, Maryland Participated in multiple activities in the founding of this wholly new K-8 charter school, including fundraising, interviewing and luring of staff, curriculum development, and school fair organization + Led the board of directors in its development of internal board policies and practices; recruited and oriented new board members

Beautification Committee Chair - Fells Prospect Neighborhood Association, 2005-2009 Baltimore, Maryland Led multiple projects to improve the beauty of the neighborhood, including beautification of school grounds, tree planting, and street cleanups Bible Study Leader - Brown Christian Fellowship, Providence, Rhode Island

1996-1998

Work Experience
Nonprofit Consultant - Healthy Neighborhoods, Baltimore, Maryland Managed individual projects for this nonprofit organization and completed multiple grant applications on their behalf.

2010-2011

English Instructor - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 2002-2004 Taught various classes, including writing and literature courses for first-year students.

2000-2001 Editorial Assistant - The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan Assisted in the procurement, evaluation, production, and marketing of new manuscripts and other book projects Exclusively handled permissions requests for the Press: determined whether or not to grant permission, set fees, drafted permissions contracts, and corresponded with requestors Initiated and served on a committee to design an extensive digital project tracking database, to track every aspect of the acquisitions process and to replace the reliance on paper files
Instructor - The Princeton Review, Houston, Texas, and Ann Arbor, Michigan 1999-2001 Taught test preparation courses for tile Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Tutored high school and college students to refine their math, writing, and reading comprehension skills Participated in marketing activities to increase the company's visibility to a targeted audience Editorial Assistant - The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas Edited scientific and medical manuscripts, grant proposals, and conference programs for grammar, style, consistency, and clarity as part of the Department of Scientific Publications Composed articles for OncoLog, a marketing newsletter on developments in cancer treatment and research, aimed at encouraging patient referrals

2000

Served as the editorial assistant for the book Monograph on Breast Cancer and the journal Breast Diseases: A Year Book Quarterly; provided support to the editorial staff of the Journal ofClinical Ultrasound

Freelance Copyeditor - various Assistant Teacher - St. James Episcopal School, Austin, Texas + Taught preschool students in a church-based program + Assisted in curriculum and policy development TeacherlTeam Leader - Summerbridge, Fort Worth, Texas + Selected to work with a team to design and facilitate a comprehensive, 6week summer school program for children between 12 and 14 years of age + Crafted innovative curriculum and persuaded other teachers to adopt as the central approach school wide; developed curriculum for own classes in English, social studies, and Greek mythology Appointed director of the Social Studies Department; led those teachers in team environment, fashioning curriculum and evaluating classroom successes

1998-2005

1998-1999

1995

LINDA DAVIS

May 16, 2012

Coeur d'Alene School District Lynn Towne, Clerk of the Board 311 North lOUt Street Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814 Attention: Board of Trustees Reference: Trustee Position, Zone 4 Dear Ms. Towne: A high-performing school board effectively representing the collective interests of students, parents, citizens, teachers, staff and administrators must rely on the broad and capable shoulders of trustees whose experience and record proved they will contribute to that performance. I believe you will agree that my qualifications, highlighted in the enclosed resume and this letter, amply demonstrate that I have the drive, compassion, and experience needed I would bring to your board and district many years of sensitive team building developed by:

Being the birth mother of 10 children, the"other" mother for nearly 20 children, and the grandmother of36 (and counting) under the age of13 Serving numerous terms as the President of the Parent Teacher Association, and Executive President of the District-wide Combined Board of theParent Teacher Association Leading the North Kootenai Water Districtas a Board Member and Presiden t through stunning growth and conservative fitutncial management for nearly a decade (NKWD is the largest quasi-governmental water district in tile State of Idaho) Co-directing andfunctioning as a Professional Investigator in the ongoing investigations of historical cases of child abuse in mission schools all over the world

Coeur d'Alene School District May 16, 2012 Page 2

While serving on the Board, three goals of many that I am certain will evolve would be to: 1) Contribute to cohesive forward momentum, 2) Collaborate with the district in elevating measurable skills for all students, and, 3) Implement strategies resulting in students armed with self-esteem to withstand the tempests of life and to continue lifetime learning. I regret that I will be in Ohio for the meeting on Monday, May 21, 2012. However, I happily stand for further questions if needed. Thank you for considering my energetic application!

,2;b---........
Linda Davis

EXECUTIVELEADERSHIP Many years of progressive leadership and management experience demonstrating a consistent track record of outstanding team growth. Equally strong qualifications in all areas of operations: Budgeting, human resources, training, public relations, customer service, networking and other functions. Effective communicator, leader, and problem solver who builds teamwork and possesses the drive to surpass goals.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND ACCOl\fi'LISHMENTS

Leadership and Management-Fast-track advancement through progressively responsible positions. Key member of multiple corporate planning committees to develop new programs and set the direction for the team's accelerated growth. USBank branch from bottom 10% tier nationwide to top 10% tier nationwide in 18 months. Copper Basin Construction from position 10 or less to position number 1 in the entire Inland Northwest Region, doubling the production of direct competitor previously number 1, in 4 years. Exceeded all annual corporate performance objectives and ranked as a leader throughout the COmpaI1Y in multiple venues. Keynote/Motivational speaker in 50+ venues annually

Policy Development and Training--Worked on diverse and dynamic teams to implement corporate human resources polides and initiatives. Managed sales team, web team, creative team, media team, averaging from 20 to 45 assodates and management personnel Designed curriculum and implemented train-the-trainer programs to develop assodates. Experienced in personnel recruiting, selection, training, developing, scheduling, evaluating performance and supervision. Led staff to achieve performance goals and maintained low turnover rates. Developed and led multiple training seminars. Conducted sensitive personnel interviews and created resolutions of same.

Public Relations-Coordinated leadership events. Co-managed public relations strategies to maximize user satisfaction, contributing to growth. Relied upon by corporate partners for industry expertise, knowledge of consumer base and all eye for selecting strategies that work Tapped as solutions manager for delicate transactton negotiations and solutions. CAREER mSTORY mGHLIGIITS PROFESSIONAL INVFSTIGATORS INTERNATlONAL - 2011 TO PRFSENT Investigator, Manager COPPER BASIN CONSTRUCTION, HAYDEN, ill - 2006 TO 2010 Director, Building Relationships NORTH IDAHO TlTLE, COEUR D'ALENE, ill - 2004 TO 2006 Business Development USBANK, COEUR D'ALENE, lD - 2002 TO 2004 Branch Manager

JEFF CHILD

May 16, 2012 Board of Trustees Coeur d'Alene School District 271 RE: Zone 4 Trustee position

I am interested in serving the remainder of Trustee Zipperer's term. I believe my work and community volunteer experience will complement the strengths each of you bring to the Board of Trustees. I also-believe that service on the Board of Trustees will expand my understanding of the challenges and rewards of producing high quality, high value public education in Idaho. My residence address of 26 years I have been registered to vote in the Coeur d'Alene School District since 1980.

Should I be appointed to the Board of Trustees, my top three objectives will be to learn the job as thoroughly and quickly as I am able; to serve all constituencies of the District faithfully, wi th emphasis on fiscal efficiency and taxing restraint; and recruitment of District level executive candidates with significant business training and experience. Thank you for your service to our community. Regards,

Jeff Child Enclosure: Resume

JEFF CHILD

Education: Carbondale University University Continuing Family: Community High School, Carbondale, Illinois of Illinois, Champaign/Urbana, B.A. of Colorado, Boulder, J.D. legal education 3D hours triennially

Work: 1980 to present, partner, Child and Fisher, Attorneys practice emphasis of business, real estate and personal injury Community: Member, Christ the King Lutheran Church Past United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer Past member, Idaho First Judicial District Magistrate Commission Past member, Kootenai County Public Defender selection committee Past Kootenai County Prosecuting Attorney candidate Past Treasurer, Idaho legislative and municipal election campaigns Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, Inc. Director, 2004 to present, Chairman 2006-2010 Perfection Nots member (I'm a Not) Activities: Snow and water skiing, backpacking, scuba diving, seasonal trumpet

Letter of Interest for the School Board Vacancy in Zone 4 Ann Seddon

I would like the opportunity to serve the public and our children as the trustee for zone 4, where I live. Education of children has been a primary focus of my life. I care deeply about giving children the best education possible and I am confident in the ability of public schools to deliver an excellent education to students. I believe my background and talents, developed through my adult life working in education, would prove to be an asset to the Board and serve the public interest represented by the Board. Simply put, I want to help better the future of our children. As an educator, I believe I can make contributions that will be unique to the board. It is my hope to bring greater understanding to the Board in regard to the daily challenges faced by teachers. As a volunteer at Borah and Ramsey I have witnessed the dedication and hard work of our teachers. As a peer I believe that I am in a position to listen to individual teachers and find ways the board can assist them in delivering the best education possible. Having been a volunteer in both Post Falls and CdA schools I believe I can help motivate our district office to welcome prospective volunteers. It is not only good for the children, but good for community relations. A welcoming response to a volunteer can create a lasting positive impression for the benefit of our school district. I would like to share some of my own personal experiences to increase volunteerism and best utilize volunteers' talents. I believe my experience with curriculum and curriculum development will be an asset to the board. It is my firm belief that clear measurable goals are necessary for a school district to function at a high level. In summary I believe my talents, skills, and experience would be an asset to the Coeur d'Alene School District Board of Trustees, the public, and the students.

Top Three Objectives My goals are reflective of the abilities and experience I would bring to the board. Other board members' goals are of great importance, but mine are more specific to and informed by my background in education. 1. Prioritize funding of academic programs based on merit. Before new curriculum programs are funded, the administration should clearly define goals, define success, and establish measurement methods to evaluate the merit of a program. Existing and future programs that have not shown to be academically successful within 3 years should strongly be considered for elimination.

2. Emphasize development of good math skillsfor all students. Students must be functional in math in order to be successful in the work place. It is my observation that many students, of good intelligence, are weak in basic math skills.The lack of computation skills is apparent. The lack of memorization of math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) is crippling the ability of students to move forward in higher math skills. The problem becomes very critical by the 5th grade. Therefore, it is my goal to encourage Board emphasis on math computation with clear and measurable goals specific to our school district. This goal is intended to raise the level of achievement at all math levels including those with higher level thinking skills. 3. Establish direct communication between the school board and the individual teachers. As a retired person I have time to visit individual schools and have discussions directly with staff members. Teachers, librarians and counselors are on the front line of education, and their ideas for improving education are critical to making progress. Teachers are our innovators and the ones having success need to be encouraged to share their methods.

Resume Ann T. Seddon

1. Graduated from Alexis I Dupont High School, Wilmington, Delaware: 1965 2. Graduated from Wheelock College, Boston, Mass.: 1969 Major: Early Childhood Education Minor: History 3. Taught in ]I, time at Head Start Program in Boston area and ]I, time at M.I.T (University Technology Preschool 1969 -70) 4. Married in 1970 and moved to New York City. Taught at the City College Day Care Center and Walden School. 5. Graduated from Western Connecticut State College with a masters of science in early childhood education: 1975 6. Began a family and taught in a pre-school part time: 1973- 78 7. Employed as a teacher in Mesa Public Schools: 1982 to 1997. Grades K,l and 3. Received merit pay for achievement. 8. Volunteered in Post Falls in 4 and 1 grade: 1999-2001 9. Owned and operated a tutoring business working with area students: Approximately 2001-2007. Then retired. 10. Presently volunteering at Borah and Ramsey, CdA Schools with 1st and
th st

s" grade students.

Personal Information: Married for 42 years

IIIII
Daniel Sheckler

SHECKLER LAW OFFICE, PLLC

May 9,2012 Lynn Towne Clerk of the Board of Trustees 311 N. io" Street Coeur d' Alene, Idaho 83814
Re:

Application for Board of Trustees, Zane 4

Dear Ms. Towne: Enclosed please find my letter of interest and my resume. I am a resident of Zone Four, and, as of May is", will be a registered voter in the district. I need to update my voter registration as we recently moved from Bonner County, but this will be accomplished before the application deadline of May 16 t h . Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

.. ....,
'~-~

Daniel Sheckler

IIIII
Daniel Sheckler

SHECKLER LAW OFFICE, PLLC

May 9,2012 Lynn Towne Clerk of the Board of Trustees th 311 N. 10 Street Coeur d' Alene, Idaho 83814
Re:

Letter of interest

Dear Ms. Towne, and Members of the Board: is only ten months old, but he is My wife, and I recently had our first child, already playing the "this is the sound a (dog, truck, airplane, etc) makes" app on my iPad. Although he has yet to develop strong language skills, his mind is already able to interface with modern technology. Our children grow up in a rapidly changing world. Our educational system must be able to prepare them for a world that will be very different ten or twenty years from now.
I am applying for the trustee position because I care about this community and would like to

see it meet the challenges of the 21 st century. I previously served on the Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commission for several years, for mostly the same reason: we have an individual responsibility for the future of our community. As a commissioner, I had to make serious land use decisions with long-term implications. I believe my experience in that position prepared me to thoughtfully consider public input, apply standards, and render fair decisions consistent with the rights and needs of those involved.
I recently started my own business here in Coeur d' Alene: Sheckler Law Office. Of course being

in private practice necessitates an appreciation for the challenges of managing a small business. My legal training has taught me to carefully evaluate information, and to maintain a natural curiosity. My top three objectives as a trustee are to:

Provide thoughtful, pragmatic, transparent decision-making while being receptive to input from parents, educatian projessionals, community orqanizations, and other stakeholders. As a trustee, I want to make good decisions. That starts with recognizing the need for a good process by respecting the knowledge and values of others. A

trustee should have the humility to listen, and the demeanor to judge. A trustee should not render a final decision before this process is concluded.
Avoid blunders. Sometimes the best intentions go awry. The entire community depends on the school district. Trustees must recognize the limits of personal hubris in advancing a pre-conceived agenda when serving as leaders of an organization that directly involves thousands of parents, teachers and kids. Major institutional change is risky, and the first step in making a good decision is to make sure that the solution is not worse than the problem. Build Stronger Relationships with North Idaho College. We are fortunate to have a community college, right here in Coeur d'Alene. It is a local asset that we should effectively utilize. Its governance structure allows it to respond to the needs of our community, without undue influence from Boise. Similarly, our school district is positioned to quickly respond to our community's needs. By working closely with the college, we can create a better synergy between our two institutions. I would like to see more collaboration with both the academic and workforce training programs of North Idaho College.

As a young professional, I will bring a fresh perspective to the Board. Our community needs responsible leadership to prepare for perpetual change. Our young people deserve a quality education that gives them the opportunity to afford to raise a family right here in North Idaho. Very truly yours,
~----

- ----...

cOafiielSheckler

IIIII
Daniel Sheckler

SHECKLER LAW OFFICE, PLLC

Education
University of Idaho, College of Law Juris Doctorate University of Idaho B.S. History North Idaho College A.S. General Studies

Experience
Sheckler Law Office Owner, Managing Attorney 20ll-present Built a local business (temporarily associated with Owens and Crandall) Developed excellent working relationships with clients and coworkers Powell and Reed, P.e., Sandpoint, Idaho Associate Attorney, 2008-2011 Represented developer for land use permitting applications; general real estate practice. Developed excellent trial advocacy skills and built strong client relationships. Bonner County Public Defender's Office, Sandpoint idaho Deputy Public Defender, 2007- 2008 Legal Intern, February 2007-0ctober 2007 Represented indigent defendants in misdemeanor criminal cases and probation revocation proceedings. Managed a caseload of approximately 300 open misdemeanor files at any given time.

Professional Memberships
Idaho State Bar Association Washington State Bar Association Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Idaho Trial Lawyers Association Bonner County Planning and Zoning Commission Appointed P & Z Commissioner, March 2007-2011

Community Engagement